Return to European Competition (3)

Manchester United restarts the second half with the lead.

Kai Rooney's mind is utterly calm and clear as he prepares for kickoff.

All he has to do is pass the ball back and then make his move toward Aston Villa's goal.

The moment he thinks, If the pass comes now, it's a goal, the pass will arrive.

And the instant he wonders, Why now? he'll find himself twisting his body for a shot that rattles the net.

Ban Yeager forces an unexpected scoring angle into his grasp, one even Kai himself hadn't imagined.

It feels like his scoring instinct is being forcibly awakened.

That's why Kai has no choice but to trust Ban Yeager 100%.

A pass from a trusted teammate.

The moment he receives it, he's certain of his positioning.

And that certainty becomes confidence.

A rising prospect fueled by confidence lets his talent fully bloom.

Ban Yeager breaks down the side and whips in a cross.

Kai Rooney meets the ball—slightly drifting behind him—with a perfect overhead kick, finding the net.

The form matches his father Wayne Rooney's legendary overhead kick almost exactly.

Old Trafford erupts as Manchester United fans go wild at the Rooney reincarnation unfolding before them.

The score is now 4:1.

Ban Yeager and Kai Rooney both have braces, and there's still over 30 minutes left.

Some fans call for substitutions to manage stamina, but Darren Fletcher doesn't oblige.

Nothing boosts a striker's form like goals.

Push past a brace to a hat-trick, and that player ascends to another level.

Not everyone does, of course, but for a clear talent achieving it young? It ignites their growth.

So he gives Kai Rooney—already on a brace—the chance at a hat-trick.

Not pulling him, or even Ban Yeager supporting him, just yet.

Ten minutes after Aston Villa's kickoff restarts the game.

Darren Fletcher knows no 18-year-old is as mature or team-first as Ban Yeager.

Darren Fletcher finally subs as Kai completes his hat-trick.

With Premier League round 6 just three days away, he pulls all three main strikers.

In come midfielder Tyler Fletcher and two strikers: Benjamin Sesko, Chido Obi-Martin, Ethan Whitley.

Perfect for a no-loss scenario, given the surplus of fringe strikers.

Ban Yeager stays on the pitch.

While Kai sets up for the penalty, Darren Fletcher and Ban Yeager exchange signs.

Fletcher crosses his index fingers in a circle: Sub out?

Ban Yeager makes an X with his: No.

He'll complete his own hat-trick before leaving.

Which manager hates that fire in an 18-year-old prospect?

Manchester United kicks off their Europa League return after five years with a dominant 6:1 win—a perfect start.

But the joy is short-lived.

League round 6: Manchester City

League round 7: Arsenal

Hellish back-to-back awaits.